Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - After last week's RNC and this week's DNC, U.S. politics are on everyone's mind - even here in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Given that CNN Senior Latin American Affairs Editor Rafael Romo estimated that there were around 35,000 U.S. and Canadian citizens living full-time in Puerto Vallarta in 2014, and the expat population keeps growing, there's quite a bit of talk about the upcoming U.S. Presidential election here in the Banderas Bay area.

Though the population of Puerto Vallarta is well over 250,000 people, any "Gringo" who lives here full-time will tell you that the city has a "small town attitude." So, if you don't want to offend anyone in PV's close-knit expat community, what's the best way to respond when someone asks you, "Which candidate do you support" or "Who are you going to vote for?"

Sharon Schweitzer, an international etiquette expert, author and founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide, says you have several options.

If you don't want to respond:

Keeping your opinion to yourself can be difficult; however, it is possible. Say something like, "In the midst of such a contentious political season, I feel it's best to keep my opinion to myself. I do appreciate your interest and wish you the best in your political decisions." By acknowledging and thanking them for their genuine interest, you are able to get out of sticky political conversations but retain your well-mannered and ever-sophisticated demeanor.

If they push again:

If they keep pushing for a response, you can play the undecided card and change the subject. "I'm still evaluating the candidates and the issues and haven't made up my mind yet. It will be interesting to see how it plays out." To get them off the topic for good, ask them about something meaningful to them that they will want to talk about. "I hear your son got accepted to Ohio State. Congratulations!" "Great job on closing that account. How did you do it?" "Tell me about your trip to the mountains a few weeks ago. I hear it is beautiful this time of year."

If you do want to respond:

If you would like to express your beliefs, the best way to do so is to cite research and concrete reasons why your views align a certain way, as this will encourage more of an intellectual conversation than a possible war of opinions. Just as you want to express your beliefs, be courteous and let the person you are speaking to express his or her beliefs, even if you disagree.

If you disagree:

It's inevitable that disagreements will arise, but when they do, handle them with grace, dignity and respect. Say something like, "That's an interesting way to look at it and you bring up some valid points; however, I feel that..." Remember that you should never raise your voice, show anger, abruptly walk away or make it personal.

Either way:

Whether you decide to respond or not, be tactful, polite, and remember that educated responses will help you either to cordially engage, or graciously decline whenever these inevitable conversations cross your path.

Regardless of your political views, or whether or not you want to engage in political discussions, consider just how easy it is for U.S. citizens to vote from Mexico these days, and just how important you are in what happens over these next few years. The citizens of the world need you to sit down at your computer, go to votefromabroad.org, fill out the easy to follow FPCA (federal post card application) and register to vote.

"Be an absentee voter, not an absentee citizen."